webfact Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Tranquil Thailand's gun culture in spotlight after shooting sprees By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat FILE PHOTO: A buddhist monk and rescue workers carry a body of a victim of a gun battle involving a Thai soldier on a shooting rampage at a hospital, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Normally serene Thailand has been on edge since a rogue soldier went on the rampage in a northeastern city this month, killing 29 people in a shooting spree that ended in a standoff with police at a shopping mall. Ten days later, a man walked into a clinic in a busy Bangkok shopping mall and gunned down his ex-wife before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested. The killings, along with several other high-profile gun crimes, have called attention to the high rate of gun ownership, even though the number and rate of gun killings has drifted downward in recent years. Thailand had about 10 million privately owned firearms in 2016, according to Gunpolicy.org, or one for about every seven citizens. Of those, about 4 million were illegal. Thais complained on Twitter about their disappearing sense of personal security, with one user, @KMoungdee posting guidelines for an active response to a shooting. "I can't say whether Thailand has a gun problem, but it certainly has a gun culture," said Michael Picard, Research Director of GunPolicy.org of the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health. "Guns are idolized as symbols of power and privilege, as they are expensive and not easy to legally obtain." While the level of gun violence is high compared to some of Thailand's Southeast Asian neighbours, it has been declining for several years. Thailand had 1,034 gun homicides in 2016, down from 2,234 in 2012. Malaysia counted four in 2016, while the Philippines had more than 7,000 in 2011, GunPolicy.org's latest data shows. While overall gun violence may be declining, a feeling of insecurity has been growing in Bangkok. Days after the mass shooting in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima on Feb. 8 and 9, a Bangkok man sent his neighbourhood into panic by firing off dozens of rounds in a commercial neighbourhood near a university, even though no one was hurt and the man was arrested. In January, an elementary school teacher robbed a gold shop at a mall in Lopburi province, about two hours north of Bangkok, killing three people, including a two-year-old boy. BUYING ONLINE "Many commentators have lamented the rise of urban violence as Thailand’s metropolitan areas grow. It is possible that urban crime is increasing while other causes of gun-related homicides are falling," Picard said. Gun laws are seen as strict in Thailand, where possession of an illegal firearm carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($640). However, enforcement is a challenge based on illegal firearms in circulation, corruption in the security sector and new channels for buying guns online. "An emerging means of acquiring illegal firearms in Thailand is through social media platforms," Picard said. "This has made it even easier to acquire an illegal firearm, as essentially anyone can do it as long as they have an internet connection and a bank account." A secondhand .38 Smith & Wesson can be found online starting at 20,000 baht. Legally obtaining a firearm in Thailand is about a three-month application process with the provincial department and a fee of around 1,500 baht, an Interior Ministry official said. Most of the gun-related crimes in the last two months, including the mass shooting, were carried out with licensed guns. But authorities say that gun-related crimes only gained attention because they occurred in close succession. "Gun-related crimes have not increased," Deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen told Reuters. "There are crimes that involve no weapon, and crimes that involve knives, guns and batons and they all can kill people. It's just that the (gun-related) incidents have been happening around the same time." (Writing by Kay Johnson; editing by Nick Macfie) -- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-20 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bangkokfrog Posted February 19, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: Tranquil Thailand's gun culture in spotlight after shooting sprees "Tranquil" and "Serene" might describe the views at some tourist spots, but they are hardly appropriate adjectives to describe what goes on behind the scenes in Thai culture. 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PatOngo Posted February 19, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2020 Gun culture aside, the road carnage is anything but tranquil or serene! 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post notasmartassknowitallfarag Posted February 19, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2020 These are not isolated incidents. Guns are everywhere in a certain Thai male category. Check any crime news report online, the only difference is the Korat one was on a larger scale. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinalblue Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 While maybe unacceptable to us the use of these adjectives, it perfectly fits the Thai culture... thais aren’t bothered even accept death much easier than we do whether by gun by road driving By drowning by suicide or an array of lack of regulatory enforcement Issues... such apathy towards fellow citizens or mankind’s demise within her borders... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Liverpudlian Posted February 19, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2020 2 hours ago, bangkokfrog said: "Tranquil" and "Serene" might describe the views at some tourist spots, but they are hardly appropriate adjectives to describe what goes on behind the scenes in Thai culture. Words out of my mouth my friend "Serene" ????? beggars belief ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odysseus123 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I've only been coming to Thailand for about 12 years and I would never describe the country as "tranquil and serene" and neither would an old friend of mine who was based here in the early 70's. In actual fact,upon comparing notes,we reached the conclusion that the high level of violence remains pretty much the same over that 50 year period. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 It's all serene at the slaughterhouse mainly because no one is going out though fear of virus and if they do potential victims are just hiding in the smog hence the tranquility???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted February 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2020 Tranquil and serene, WHERE? Certainly not in Issan. Only place i know that would fit that description, is high in the mountains near Mae Hong Son. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RotBenz8888 Posted February 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2020 If you avoid the tourist spots, avoid the traffic, never go out when its dark and are lucky not to come across a drugged nutcase, then it's serene and tranquil. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatOngo Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 25 minutes ago, cardinalblue said: thais aren’t bothered even accept death much easier than we do whether by gun by road driving By drowning by suicide or an array of lack of regulatory enforcement Issues... ………..there's always chart na.……..the next life! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Khun Paul Posted February 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2020 Morally corrupt enforcement agencies ( Including the Military ) are a huge part of the problem . While it is known Police are inept in stopping oir even enforcing Road carnage the same standards can be applied to Criminal activities . If there is no money to be made, no-one does a damn thing .Tranquil and Serene are two words cannot be easily applied to much of Thailand , sadly . 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorecard Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 3 hours ago, bangkokfrog said: "Tranquil" and "Serene" might describe the views at some tourist spots, but they are hardly appropriate adjectives to describe what goes on behind the scenes in Thai culture. Add; Thailand had about 10 million privately owned firearms in 2016, according to Gunpolicy.org, or one for about every seven citizens. Of those, about 4 million were illegal." Six million illegal, how can that be? RTP sleeping on job continues... Four million legal, totally not OK, totally not needed, Thai lawmakers sleeping on the job again... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Im told Cambodia is even worse easy get a AK 47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nyezhov Posted February 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2020 24 minutes ago, ChipButty said: Im told Cambodia is even worse easy get a AK 47 Havent seen one yet, but Ill keep looking. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardColeman Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Maybe Thailand should start having public broadcasts every 3 hours on the TV and youtube , 'Shoot yourself - not others' ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted February 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2020 2 hours ago, Liverpudlian said: Words out of my mouth my friend "Serene" ????? beggars belief ! Guns, knives, machetes, re-bars... even vehicles here are used as weapons.. Serene is not word I would use! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAMHERE Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Nothing new here folks, before it was when every one access to rocks and sticks (clubs); well not that I mean 'everyone', I am talking about the lower classes. Notice it is only the lower classes that misuse technology? Since very long ago, lower classes are the most likely to kill illegally(supposedly). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 1 hour ago, RichardColeman said: Maybe Thailand should start having public broadcasts every 3 hours on the TV and youtube , 'Shoot yourself - not others' ! That was my thought to stem the road carnage.....???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said: If you avoid the tourist spots, avoid the traffic, never go out when its dark and are lucky not to come across a drugged nutcase, then it's serene and tranquil. Sounds like parts of Cornwall these days. Some of you got to unwrap that cotton wool you wear ???? Edited February 20, 2020 by sungod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin case Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 should they put a sign before you enter the mall ? no food, no dogs, no killing / shooting / stabbing ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Aylesham Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 4 hours ago, Odysseus123 said: I've only been coming to Thailand for about 12 years and I would never describe the country as "tranquil and serene" and neither would an old friend of mine who was based here in the early 70's. In actual fact,upon comparing notes,we reached the conclusion that the high level of violence remains pretty much the same over that 50 year period. My experience too being a visitor to Thailand since the early seventies. Bangkok was pretty hairy then - less so now. However to return to the subject of the exchange, it would be good to see greater control of army and police weapons for off-duty personnel - like leaving them in the barracks or police station. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Tracy Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 In did a quick check-in Gunpolicy.org, and what Insaw surprised the hell out of me. 2007 comparison chart, ranking number of privately owned handguns: USA 1st England and Wales 22nd Thailand 11th Cambodia 73rd New Zealand 54th. Germany 4th This is despite the UK's so called strict gun laws. 2017 estimate puts the number of privately owned firearms, both legal and illegal at 3260609... Just saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmatix Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 “Most of the gun-related crimes in the last two months, including the mass shooting, were carried out with licensed guns.” Mass shooting done with licensed guns? Apart from the two crooks he shot at the start with own gun, all the rest were killed with stolen guns. I haven’t seen a report that the security guard that murdered his ex-wife used a licensed gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmatix Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 (edited) “Legally obtaining a firearm in Thailand is about a three-month application process with the provincial department and a fee of around 1,500 baht, an Interior Ministry official said.” This is probably true in most provinces and many provincial applications get rejected. But Bangkok is generally a lot easier and quicker because the Interior Ministry does the licensing itself for Bkk residents based on the letter of the Firearms Act with no additional wrinkles. Provincial applicants have to go through district offices and provincial givernors are allowed to make up their own rules, e.g. no guns for foreigners in Phuket. Edited February 21, 2020 by Dogmatix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmatix Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 15 hours ago, Scott Tracy said: In did a quick check-in Gunpolicy.org, and what Insaw surprised the hell out of me. 2007 comparison chart, ranking number of privately owned handguns: USA 1st England and Wales 22nd Thailand 11th Cambodia 73rd New Zealand 54th. Germany 4th This is despite the UK's so called strict gun laws. 2017 estimate puts the number of privately owned firearms, both legal and illegal at 3260609... Just saying The UK has a large number of shotguns and rifles. There is a hunting culture there which Thailand doesn’t because licenses are no longer issued in Thailand for shooting animals which is largely illegal. There are also many gun clubs in the UK and a rapidly growing shooting sports community for the Newer non-blood sports like practical shotgun, minirifle matches, 3 gun and the more traditional sports of clay pigeon shooting and long range rifle target shooting up to 1,000 yards. In some respect UK firearms law is less strict than Thailand, e.g. you can legally own a .50 caliber rifle, manufacturer your own ammo and buy extra barrels and other parts for any gun on your firearms certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 16 hours ago, Scott Tracy said: In did a quick check-in Gunpolicy.org, and what Insaw surprised the hell out of me. 2007 comparison chart, ranking number of privately owned handguns: USA 1st England and Wales 22nd Thailand 11th Cambodia 73rd New Zealand 54th. Germany 4th This is despite the UK's so called strict gun laws. 2017 estimate puts the number of privately owned firearms, both legal and illegal at 3260609... Just saying Ownership of hand guns in the UK has been illegal since around 1995, after the Dunblane shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assurancetourix Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 7:06 AM, colinneil said: Only place i know that would fit that description, is high in the mountains near Mae Hong Son. And curiously, in these mountains no Thai lives there; they are Karen or Hmong or other minorities ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burma Bill Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 8:20 AM, Nyezhov said: Havent seen one yet, but Ill keep looking. So will I, having just re-located to Siem Reap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burma Bill Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 What do you expect with a pro-military Government and a Parliament with ex-generals as MPs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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